Madden Mechanics: Coaching Adjustments

Posted July 28th at 10:00am.

Coaching Adjustments was a popular feature in our NCAA Football series. It now makes a debut in Madden NFL 18.

For those of you who’ve played NCAA Football, you'll recognize elements of this feature and will have a general idea of how it works. But, there are some key additions and updates we've made specifically for Madden.

The Coaching Adjustments option is located on the front page of the play call screen. This is for both offense and defense. Once the user selects the Coaching Adjustment option, they'll be taken to the next page, which contains the list of Coaching Adjustments available for the side of the ball they’re playing.

By default, each adjustment is set to Balanced. This means standard gameplay conditions apply based on the mode the user is in. Here's the complete list of Coaching Adjustments, as well as the descriptions on what they do.

Defensive Adjustments

Auto Flip Defense

On - The CPU will flip your defensive play to best match the offensive formation

Pro: Outside rushers play QB Contain and AI defensive line will look to swat passes

Con: No Jump Snap bonus and more time in pocket for QB

Aggressive

Pro: AI pass rushers will attempt to jump the snap

Con: Higher chance of off sides penalty versus hard count

New Addition: Pass Rushers also see an increase in fatigue

Strip Ball

Conservative

Pro: Lowers break tackle chances

Con: AI will not attempt to strip

Aggressive

Pro: Higher chance for AI to attempt a strip for a higher fumble chance

Con: Higher chance of a broken tackle and face mask penalty

Tackling

Conservative

Pro: AI defenders tackle conservatively

Con: Increases chances of allowing yards after contact

Aggressive:

Pro: AI defenders attempt Hit Stick tackles for higher fumble chance

Con: Higher chances of missed tackles

Offensive Adjustments

Ball Carrier

Conservative

Pro: Ball carrier protects the ball, decreased fumble chances

Con: Decreased ability to break tackles

Aggressive

Pro: Higher chance of triggering auto break tackles

Con: Increased fumble chances

Blocking

Conservative:

Pro: Decreased chances of holding penalty

Con: Hold blocks less for run and pass

Aggressive:

Hold blocks longer for run and pass

Increased chances of holding penalty

Deep Pass Catching

Conservative:

Pro: Receivers will attempt a RAC catch, increases run after catch chances

Con: Increased interception chance

Aggressive:

Pro: Receivers will attempt an Aggressive catch

Con: Decreases run after catch chance

Intermediate Pass Catching

Conservative:

Pro: Receivers will attempt a Possession catch

Con: Decreased run after catch chance

Aggressive:

Pro: Receivers will attempt a RAC or Aggressive catch

Con: Increased chances of ball being knocked out

Cornerback Matchups

Cornerback Matchups is a Coaching Adjustment that allows the player to set what criteria they want to use to determine which wide receivers their CBs matchup against. Cornerback Matchups work for both man and zone defenses. To maximize the effectiveness of this feature, users ideally want to make sure the number of CBs on the field is equal to or greater than the number of WRs.

If, for example, the offense has more receivers on the field than cornerbacks, the CBs will still follow the matchup criteria set by the user. But only the CBs who are projected to matchup against a WR will swap positions with one another.

By Depth Chart gives the user the ability to set specific cornerbacks to a specific receiver. For example, if a user wants their highest-rated cornerback to matchup vs. the second highest overall-rated receiver, they can simply go to the team depth chart and place their highest rated cornerback into the CB2 slot.

AI Usage and Game Styles

Coaching Adjustments are available with all Game Styles and all play modes except for Practice. Therefore, when a Coaching Adjustment is set, the assumption is that the user is willing to accept the inherent risks and rewards of that Coaching Adjustment. Penalties and other various outcomes can occur as a result of a Coaching Adjustment in any game mode.

An added element is that the AI in the Simulation game style will use Coaching Adjustments. When the AI uses a Coaching Adjustment, and if that adjustment had an impact on the play result, a drop-down banner will appear under the in-game scoreboard HUD displaying the adjustment that triggered.

The Coaching Adjustments that the AI will use are:

Ball Carrier Conservative

When ahead, late in the game, and running the ball in an effort to keep the clock running

Cornerback Matchups

By Overall rating, when it has a cornerback on its team with at least a 90 OVR, and the offense has a receiver with at least a 90 OVR

Pass Rush Aggressive

In certain passing situations.

Strip Ball Aggressive

When trailing late in a close game, when the offense is trying to keep the clock running

Strip Ball Conservative

During late-game, two-minute situations, when ahead

Tackling Aggressive

In some short yardage situations, also late in games when trailing in a close game

Tackling Conservative

During late-game, two-minute situations, when ahead

Madden NFL 18 is available on the PS4 and Xbox One August 25. Stay in the conversation by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter. Pre-order here for early access.